People queuing for a bus on Wellesley Street in central Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia
Heavy rain has caused flooding in parts of Auckland and a state of emergency has been declared in the city, with deluges also forecast for other parts of the country.
Auckland city had 32 millimetres of rain between 12pm and 1pm according to the MetService rain gauge. It was expected to be heavier this evening but MetService has since downgraded its rainfall forecast for the city.
The heavy rain is making it difficult to get around Auckland with Britomart train centre closed, long waits for buses and flooding on some roads.
Weather warnings
Thunderstorm warnings and watches are in place for the following regions:
- A severe thunderstorm warning is in place for Rodney, Gulf, Auckland City, Waikato, Hauraki, Franklin and Albany.
- A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for Auckland, Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, Waikato until 7pm on Tuesday.
- A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for Northland until 5pm on Tuesday.
- A severe thunderstorm watch is in place for Bay of Plenty including Rotorua until 11pm on Tuesday.
Heavy rain warnings are in place for the following places:
- A heavy rain warning is in place for Northland until 7pm on Tuesday.
- A heavy rain warning is in place for Auckland, including Great Barrier Island and Coromandel Peninsula until midnight on Thursday.
- Heavy rain warnings are in place for Marlborough about and north of the Awatere Valley, also Nelson and Tasman south and east of Motueka until 5pm on Tuesday.
- Heavy rain warnings are in place for Grey and Westland Districts from Fox Glacier town northwards until 5pm on Tuesday.
Heavy rain watches are in place for the following places:
- North Taranaki away from the mountain until 9pm on Tuesday.
- Buller until 7pm on Tuesday.
Snow watch
- A heavy snow watch is in place for the northern hills of Southland north to the Waitaki River, excluding the lower-lying parts of North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha from 4pm on Wednesday until 2am on Thursday 11 May.
A full updated list of the latest weather warnings can be found here.
Calling for help
Anyone who is in an emergency or feels safe should call 111.
Fire and Emergency has received more than 200 weather-related callouts in Auckland that include flooding, slips, fallen trees and vehicles trapped in floodwaters. A spokesperson says with so many callouts Aucklanders should only call 111 in an emergency.
The Ministry of Education is advising all schools, kura and to follow their emergency management plans and to monitor the Civil Defence website. Any decision to close will be made by school boards, who will take into account advice from both Civil Defence and the MetService, the ministry said.
Transport update
Auckland's main train hub at Britomart is closed due to flooding with all trains cancelled out of the station.
Auckland Transport says there are still trains running on the southern and eastern lines between Papakura and Otahuhu; and Otahuhu and Manukau.
It is also warning of significant disruption to bus services, with many cancelled, especially in the city centre and the North Shore.
Auckland Transport says there and surface flooding on the roading network and it urged people to take care and plan their journey appropriately and only travel if necessary.
Ferries between Downtown, Hobsonville and Beach haven have been cancelled for Tuesday evening and replaced by taxis.
Some flights in and out of Auckland are being delayed and cancelled due to the severe weather.
The airport is operating as normal but it advises travellers to check online for flight disruptions.
Civil Defence will set up evacuation centres if needed
Auckland Emergency Management says in the event people need to evacuate, Civil Defence centres are being set up where they might be needed.
Deputy mayor Desley Simpson says people should keep an eye on the weather forecast, stay vigilant and check on whānau and friends.
Te Manawa library in Westgate is open for those in need of shelter and full details will be uploaded to the Auckland Emergency Management website as more centres are stood up.
Where to find essential information
- Auckland Emergency Management
- Auckland Transport for information about public transport.
- MetService for the latest weather updates.